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Digestdonnelly college
a publication for Donnelly College alumni and friends
a publication for Donnelly College alumni and friends
WINTER
2007
Looking Into Their Future
One student’s journey from Bolivia to Donnelly, page 4Lansing Program teaches more inmates with technology, page 6Donnelly merchandise now available online!, page 8
2 WINTER 2007 www.donnelly.edu
Leader’s Message
Emily Buckley,Director of Development
“A very important part of the joy of
living is the joy of giving.”
- William Buck
Donnelly College is headed for great places, and you are helping to take us there. Donnelly is growing in so many exciting ways. Here’s just a few highlights from the last year:
• Donnelly received a $2.8 million federal grant to help launch an LPN program and our second baccalaureate degree, this one in teacher education.
• Our campus grew with the addition of a dormitory and Marian Hall. • New student support centers and activities were launched, including a Career Center
and soccer clubs for men and women.
The leadership at every level of the school is committed to our growth, particularly adding new student support programs and providing more scholarships so even more students can have access to higher education. In fact, our Board of Trustees has raised the goal for the school’s annual fund to make sure that Donnelly reaches its goals to serve more.
This is the time of year when we all take a moment to count our blessings. I know Donnelly is perennially blessed by the talent of our faculty and staff, by the dedication and diversity of our students, by a community that enriches us, and by your generosity. I say it often, but it is so true, Donnelly absolutely could not carry out its mission without the help of each of you who make a gift to support our endeavors.
Because we want to keep a college education affordable for our students, tuition costs are maintained at less than our true costs. Plus, more than 95% of our students need scholarships. We couldn’t do this without your donations to help cover those costs. The generous giving of our alumni and friends reminds me of a quote from William Buck, “A very important part of the joy of living is the joy of giving.”
In the coming times of growth, we will be asking you to reach a little deeper and give a little more to touch more lives. We will need your help as we try to reach those individuals seeking to better their lives, and to serve them in new ways.
But you can rest assured that your support really does change lives, and that the gift of education you make possible is truly an incredible blessing you share. Take for example Dr. Lewis Cook, who grew up in the inner city, brimming with crime and drugs, and had to deal with his father being mur-dered when he was seven. After high school and vo-tech school, he knew he
wanted to contribute more to society. So he came to Donnelly, graduated and went on to UMKC to become a dentist. He now practices dentistry, and also gives back to the community by volunteering and mentoring young men.
There are so many stories of students just like this, achieving great things for them-selves and their communities, all because your support helps us keep our school going. We hope you will remember Donnelly in your holiday and year-end giving this year.
Donors helping to elevate Donnelly to next level
A Taste of Culture
Teresa Kriley, faculty director for the Multicultural Scholars program (standing top left), and Dr. Amber Reagan-Kendrick, dean of students and community services (standing top right), prepare to dine with scholars of the program at the Peachtree Restaurant, at 18th and Vine Streets in Kansas City. The scholars program engages in monthly cultural events for the edification of its student participants. From left to right the students are: Yasmin Campbell, Crystal Ellison, La Che Robinson and Delfina Segura.
One student’s jouney from
Bolivia to Donnelly
Stress Management taught in
new career center
Lansing inmates find new
perspectives through
college program
Donnelly Merchandise for sale
Student Soccer Clubs
Donnelly’s Thanks & Giving
tradition
Donnelly Digest 3
Editorial Staff
editor
Napoleon Crews Marketing Coordinator
editorial assistants
Emily Buckley, Dir. of DevelopmentRoger Berg, Alumni DirectorSister Judith Sutera, OSB
Donnelly College Board of Directors
chairs
Gary D. Grable ‘64 ChairpersonGeorge Breidenthal ‘69 Chairperson-ElectWilliam (Bill) Dunn, Jr. Past-Chair of the Board
MeMbers
Robert BartunekDr. Rita BurnettE. Leon DaggettRichard J. Flanigan, Jr.Daniel HaakeRev. Michael Hermes Joan HoranSr. Rita Killackey, O.S.B.Wendell E. MaddoxJohn Mendez, Jr. ‘74Bill MillerLaVert MurrayMost Rev. Joseph F. Naumann, S.T.D.Lonnie Scott Sr. Anne Shepard, O.S.B. Helen SkradskiPaula Willett
MeMbers eMeritus
Vernon BriscoeMost Rev. James P. Keleher, S.T.D.
Table of Contents
Leaders’ Message:
Donors helping to elevate
Donnelly to next level
Calendar of Events
On the COver
Teacher Joe Multhauf ’s physical science class viewing mineral cycles through a microscope and charting their effect on greenhouse gases. Students from left are Brenda Ramos, Jessica Lara, Ray Valenzula, Joe Multhauf, Anis Nyingnak.
Features
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02
12
In every Issue
4 WINTER 2007 www.donnelly.edu
One student’s journey from Bolivia to Donnelly
Since childhood, Paola Zapata’s father, Edgar, impressed the
importance upon her of learning to speak English. Growing up in Bolivia did not provide many opportunities to explore the English language.
Finally, Paola got the chance to study English in the United States. Her parents made arrangements for Paola to come to Kansas City, live with her aunt and select a school in which to learn English.
“I did not want to come to the United States,” said Paola. “I was afraid to leave my family, friends and country. So the plans were to go to the United States for six months to improve my English and then come back to my country if I could not get used to being away.”
Paola chose to attend Donnelly Col-lege because international students are not required to pay out-of-state tuition. “Don-nelly has a special meaning for me because since the first day; I found here a second home,” Paola said. “I love the diversity in this school; there are students from dif-ferent countries with different languages. Personally, I feel good for being part of this school.”
When asked if anything about Donnelly College surprised her, Paola was quick to respond. “When my aunt was making the papers to enroll me, she realized Donnelly was the same school my father, Edgar, went to 28 years ago. I never imagined coming to the same school my father did 28 years ago. It was a big coincidence, which I am enjoy-ing everyday.”
Paola’s father finished Donnelly’s Eng-
ESL graduate and B.A. student, Paola Zapata
lish as Second Language program and then decided to work on his masters degree in Colorado.
After Paola completed Donnelly’s English as Second Language program, she looked at other larger schools in which to complete her education, following in her father’s footsteps. Ultimately, Paola decided to remain at Donnelly and pursue a bach-elor’s degree, which she hopes to attain by the year 2010. Thereafter, she intends to study for a master’s degree in business or management.
Paola summed up her future as follows: “The most important goal in my life is to help my country overcome all its problems, having a good education is going to be the most important tool to achieve it. Donnelly is giving me the best experience of leader-ship and diversity I would ever have.”
There are currently 153 students from 31 countries studying in Donnelly College’s English as Second Language program.
student PrOFILe
“Donnelly is giving me the best
experience of leadership and
diversity I would ever have.”
-Paola Zapata
The Donnelly career center, es-tablished as a resource center, is
where students and community members receive assistance in career planning and job searching. A variety of services are provided to give guidance to students as they go about choosing, preparing for, and entering a career.
One of the primary goals of the Career Center is to help alleviate some of the stress students often experience when attempt-ing to make good career and employment decisions.
Career Center services are free, and its consultations include providing guidance in the following areas:
• goal setting• how to get and keep a job• developing workplace skills• networking• self-esteem• interviewing• professional dress• telephone etiquette• writing/speaking for success.
The Career Center maintains contact with local and national employers who offer fulltime and part-time jobs. Job openings are posted on the JOBS Bulletin Board located on the fourth floor, and are sent to students via email.
When asked how the Donnelly Career Center keeps Donnelly students abreast of the employment needs of the nationwide employers, Jane Ballagh de Tovar, career center coordinator, responded. “More and more companies are partnering with technical and professional staffing agencies.
Stress management the Donnelly Career Center way
Donnelly Digest 5
PrOgraM deveLOPMents
The career center facilitates regular com-mmunication between our students and the leading technical and professional staffing agencies..”
Students undecided about a major or a career, and individuals wanting to establish or change careers can take interest inven-tories and assessment tests to help them become more knowledgeable about their value, interests, skills and abilities. Informa-tion about educational programs and occu-pational opportunities is also available.
“By developing good workplace skills, becoming more self-aware, being knowl-edgeable about the world-of-work, and having the appropriate tools and resources, the job seeker can make the career decision-making process and the job search journey a lot more manageable,” said Career Center Coordinator Jane Ballagh de Tovar.
Students researching career and employment opportunities at Donnelly’s new Career Center
Using technology to teach more inmates at Lansing
6 WINTER 2007 www.donnelly.edu
Dr. Steve Jansen, Lead Instructor and on-site coordinator of Donnelly’s Associate Degree Program at Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kansas, is coordinating a simulcast of a Business 101 class to medium security inmates.
PrOgraM deveLOPMents
Steve Jansen, lead instructor and on-site coordinator for Donnelly’s Lansing Prison program, walked me from the Minimum Se-curity yard into the Maximum Security yard, where inmates lifted weights, played basket-ball and exercised. There were no gates or fences between us.
Steve was there to coordinate an eve-ning class in Business 101 and I to observe.
Darkness had fallen, and fluorescent yard-lights bathed everything in a dim, pink-ish glow. The near darkness bothered me, but Steve seemed unaffected by the lack of light. The inmates moved about the bas-
ketball court and weight machines without missing a step.
“These guys are ripped with muscles and they need to be as you can imagine,” said Steve, reading my mind. “Great pains are taken to make sure the inmates have all of the bodybuilding equipment they need. I’m happy to say that since 2001, Donnelly College has devoted similar effort to develop their minds.”
It was in 2001 that Donnelly College partnered with the Lansing Correctional Facility to provide an Associate Degree Program to inmates. The partnership arose out of a challenge made to Dr. Ken Gib-son, Donnelly College’s former president, to have Donnelly teach college classes to inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility.
Studies have shown that earning a col-lege degree is the single most effective tool to lower recidivism, creates self sufficiency and self confidence among inmates.
It wasn’t long until the project gained the support of Lansing prison officials, area
business leaders and commu-nity members.
After a lengthy process, Donnelly obtained accredita-tion for the prison education program, and the Lansing Correctional Facility donated classroom and office space. The result is that the correc-tional facility was designated as Donnelly College’s second campus, further fulfill-ing Donnelly’s mission of providing education to those who might otherwise not be
served.
In 2006, for cost efficiencies, the Lan-sing program was reorganized, resulting in a new requirement that each class offered must have a minimum of 12 students en-rolled in it before the class could be taught.
It often proved difficult to meet the 12-student-minimum within each of the three
“Most significantly, 66 Donnelly students have
been released from prison and only one (1.5%) has
returned, compared to the national average for
recidivsm of 53%.”
by Napoleon Crews
Donnelly Digest 7
Using technology to teach more inmates at Lansing
“Great pains are taken to make sure the inmates have all of the bodybuilding equipment they need. I am happy to say that since 2001, Donnelly College
has devoted similar effort to develop their
minds.”
dOnneLLy’s PrIsOn eduCatIOn PrOgraM
separate prison cell blocks - minimum, medium and maximum security levels. Further it was also challenging to move pris-oners through the layers of security in order to get them to a class in another cell block.
In early 2007, the Donnelly College and Lansing Correctional Facility partnership again combined forces to provide multi-classroom linking as a new feature of the Lansing program.
The separate minimum, medium and maximum security classrooms were linked with cameras and video equipment to allow each facility to host a course being taught and simultaneously broadcast from a single classroom.
Gone were the problems of navigat-ing layers of security precautions from one facility to another. The 12-student minimum became much easier to reach since the same class could now be taught at the same time in each of the three security levels.
New Student Orientation at the Lansing Correctional Facility includes the admin-istration of placement tests to inmates seeking admission. The tests are designed to assess the readiness of prospective students to do college-level work.
“As one can imagine,” said Steve, “time in prison weighs heavy on the inmates. Providing the means for inmates to be suc-cessful college students and obtain a degree, produces positive results.”
One graduate from the Lansing pro-gram captured the essence of what this unique program meant to him.
“Thank you for providing me with the wornderful opportunity to utilize my time efficiently by helping me to achieve the first step in the pursuit off my academic goals. Donnelly not only provided me with the opportunity to develop my academic poten-tial, but also the opportunity to become a better person.”
“I believe that teaching inmates in the Lansing program has been a rewarding learning experience for me as well as for the inmates,” said Steve.
Since 2001, 120 classes have been taught, 256 men have completed class, 13 have graduated with associate’s degrees and several are working on bachelor’s degrees.
Most significantly, 66 Donnelly students have been released from prison and only one (1.5%) has returned, compared to the national average for recidivsm of 53%.
To learn more about this program or how you can help, call Emily Buckley , (913) 621-8731 or email [email protected].
Dr. Jansen is using the new techology to simulcast his teaching in the Maximun security classroom to classes that are being chaperoned in the minimum and medium level security sites.
llll
8 WINTER 2007 www.donnelly.edu
Donnelly College has added a new line of merchandise for sale. Whether you are an alumnus, parent of a student, or friend of the school, we hope you’ll take advantage of the great new items and show your support for the school!
Place your order online at www.donnelly.edu and request direct shipment or pickup in Donnelly’s business office.
Donnelly College Merchandise is now available for sale!
License Plate Frame$11.00
Heavy Duty Sweatshirts$24.00
License Plate (full)$15.00
Gildan T-Shirts$8.00
Lapel Pin, $4.00
Deluxe Polo Shirt, $18.00Lanyard
$3.00
Makes a great gift!
EmbroideredBall Cap $8.00
Donnelly soccer clubs spur school spirit
Donnelly Digest 9
athLetIC CLubs begIn at dOnneLLy
The men and women’s soccer clubs began the year with high expectations, driven by a strong desire to compete, the will to
juggle yet another responsibility in addition to work and school, and the heart to con-tinue slugging it out, week after week, against teams with fancy uniforms, trainers and grass or indoor practice facilities. Many times, the Donnelly men’s team was outnumbered. The north parking lot, with its concrete barriers, served as Donnelly’s practice field and the city sidewalks their exercise track.
When asked how the teams managed to keep their enthusiasm, in the face of losses week after week, Soccer Coach Jaime Fuentes was quick to respond. “Both teams demonstrated that they have courage and a love for the game. We have a lot of skilled players but they have not played together
before. More time on the practice field will help them come together as a team.”
One has only to attend a soccer game to witness the courage, skill and love for the game of which coach Fuentes spoke. It is also quickly evident that many of the soccer team members speak English as a second language.
“A lot of our stu-dents came from foreign countries where soccer is the national sport and playing soccer is impor-tant to them,” said Sister Lucy Kramer.
Coach Fuentes’ plans for the spring 2008 season include registering the men and women’s teams in both the indoor and outdoor leagues. “I hope more games and practice time will help keep the players excited and our faithful fans coming to the games,” said Coach Fuentes.
“Soccer at Donnelly, what an exciting time!,” said Amber Bloom-field-Martinez, Donnelly Soccer fan and the school’s Admissions Coor-dinator. “The students played their hearts out. It wasn’t about winning, it was about having fun and being together.”
Top Left: The womens team and coaches waiting to take the field against the Oneders at Lenexa.
Top Right: Womens team on the Donnelly practice field.
Above: Father Michael Hermes praying with the men’s team before they compete against the Eagles at Overland Park.
Bottom Left: Men’s team mapping out their pre-game strategy against the Vermont FC at Overland Park.
Donnelly celebrates “Thanks & Giving” tradition
Blood Driv
COntInuIng tradItIOns
10 WINTER 2007 www.donnelly.edu
The roots of Donnelly College’s Thanks and Giving celebration extend back to the early 1980s. In those days, faculty mem-bers Cyrus Shadfar and Max Sullins carved turkeys for Donnelly’s international students sharing their foods and traditions at the St. Mary/St. Anthony Church on 7th Street.
“It was a wonderful idea for our ESL (English as Second Language) students to learn about Thanksgiving traditions in the United States,” said Cyrus Shadar, dean. “Some of our students celebrate it differ-
ently; however, the theme of sharing exists in every culture around the world.”
Through the hard work and persistence of another Donnelly facul-ty member, the late Dolores
Podrebarac, Thanks and Giving became a tradition for the entire Donnelly community and grew to include the sharing of prayers, food and culture by students, staff, alumni and friends.
This year’s event was held on No-vember 20, 2007. Prayers were offered in Swahili, Arabic, Hungarian, Dinka, English, Ukranian, French, Spanish, Romanian and Ndumu. Bright cul-tural dress splashed color throughout the Chapel Meeting Room.
Tasty dishes from Somalia, India,
Nicaragua, Mexico, Korea and the United States provided a memorable feast. A pro-cession of food baskets from the Organiza-tion of Student Leaders’ food drive evi-denced that provision had also been made for the needy.
“ESL students are always fascinated with Thanksgiving,” said faculty member Denise Johnson. “Why do we have Thanks-giving? How do we celebrate it? What is pumpkin pie? These are a few of the com-mon questions that students always ask. For many of them, Donnelly College is a place they can ask about and experience the cultural traditions surrounding Thanksgiv-Top Right: Viktoriay
Miftakhova offering her prayer in Ukranian.
Above: Students, staff, alumni and friends enjoying the Thanks and Giving feast.
Bottom Right: Carrying their Thanks and Giving basket as
their gift to the needy.
Donnelly celebrates “Thanks & Giving” tradition
Donnelly Digest 11
Why?There are many reasons for making a gift to Donnelly College:• to support of our mission and programs• to invest in education to change the community - and lives - one student at a time• to continue the Catholic tradition of education rooted in values• to give back to the next generation, particularly those needing an extra hand• or to take advantage of charitable deducation tax credits.
Ways to Give Back:• Checks, Cash, Credit Cards • Charitable Gift Annuity• Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds • Charitable Remainder Trust• Wills & Bequests • Life Insurance • Donate your Time and Talent - VOLUNTEER at Donnelly!
There are many easy ways to contribute, several of which can also generate annual income for yourself.
More Information:If you would like more information about making year-end gifts to
Donnelly College, contact:
Emily Buckley, Director of Development, at 913-621-8731 or [email protected].
Your support will help continue Donnelly College’s tradition of offering the opportunity of quality higher education to all!
Join others in Donnelly’s Legacy SocietyAlready made a planned gift for Donnelly?
Please let us know so we can add your name to our growing Legacy Society!
Creating a Legacy of Caring
ing. The Thanks and Giving program allows them to participate in American culture while sharing their own and giving to their classmates which is important to them.”
Interesting insight into the effect of the Donnelly Thanks and Giving celebration on Donnelly students is gained from the following:
Ornella Deing Ozumett from Gabon - “It was a new experience for me. The food we shared and ate at Donnelly was great. It was nice to hear about other cultures.”
Nabi Agzamov from Uzbekistan - “It was a great opportunity to learn more about American culture, the food was great!”
Mohommad Ghanim from Jordan - “It was great and beautiful to see people from another country sharing their prayers in dif-ferent languages. The food was great too!!!”
Dorottya Pap from Hungary added, “It was nice. We do not celebrate Thanksgiving in my country. It was my first time experi-encing something so nice and beautiful.”
Many guests attended the program, including (from left to right, front to back rows) Willie Etta Jennings and Mary Pat Beals, Sr. Mary Lucy Kramer, Tony Skabialka ‘60, Emily Buckley, Jim Owens, Sr. Marie Kathleen Daugherty, Pat and B.J. Callaghan, ‘59 and ‘59, Belinda Ogan and Danial Braum, ‘71.
Non-profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidPermit No. 228Kansas City, KS
Donnelly College608 North 18th StreetKansas City, KS 66102(913) 621-8700
Address Service Requested
Calendar of Events
JANUARYJanuary 7-11 RegistrationJanuary 14 Semester BeginsJanuary 21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (closed in observance)January 24 Strawberry Hill Museum Tour
FEBRUARYFebruary 13 Black History Month lecture J. Edgar Tidwell “Against all odds”February 22 TRiO Day
MARCHMarch 2 & 3 Donnelly Alumni PhonathonMarch 17-21 Spring Break
APRILApril 24 & 25 Donnelly Multi-Cultural Fair
aluMni association
KcK church tour
On October 24th a group of Donnelly alumni and friends visited six of the Catholic churches in the Donnelly neighborhood. Michael Rebout, class of 1972, provided a fascinating guided tour of the Cathedral of St. Peter.
Future Alumni Association trips include a tour of the Strawberry Hill Museum in January and a visit to Atchison, Kansas in April.
For more information on Alumni Association activities visit www.donnelly.edu and go to the alumni section.
